Rust JWT Authentication with Actix Web

Learn how to implement JWT authentication in Rust using the Actix Web framework. This tutorial is beginner-friendly and uses simple examples.

This is the only video you need to learn JWT with Rust. Note this example uses Actix Web, but the crate I use jsonwebtoken can be applied on any server framework, like Axum, as well.

Source code https://github.com/jsoneaday/syntaxmakers


Rust is a multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes performance, safety, and concurrency. It enforces memory safety—ensuring that all references point to valid memory—without requiring the use of a garbage collector or reference counting present in other memory-safe languages.

Rust is a relatively new programming language, but it has quickly gained popularity due to its unique features and benefits. Here are some of the reasons why Rust is a popular programming language:

  • Performance: Rust is a very fast language. It is often faster than C++ and other compiled languages.
  • Safety: Rust is a very safe language. It has built-in features that prevent common programming errors, such as memory leaks and data races.
  • Concurrency: Rust is a very concurrent language. It makes it easy to write code that can run multiple tasks at the same time.
  • Expressiveness: Rust is a very expressive language. It has a concise and powerful syntax that makes it easy to write clear and concise code.
  • Tooling: Rust has excellent tooling. The Rust compiler is very powerful and efficient, and there are many great IDEs and other tools available for Rust development.

If you are looking for a programming language that is fast, safe, concurrent, and expressive, then Rust is a great choice.

Here are some of the things you can do with Rust:

  • Build operating systems and embedded systems
  • Write high-performance web servers and applications
  • Develop games and other graphical applications
  • Create distributed systems and microservices
  • Work on blockchain and cryptocurrency projects

JSON Web Token (JWT) is an open standard (RFC 7519) that defines a compact and self-contained way for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. JWTs can be used for authentication, authorization, and other purposes.

A JWT token is composed of three parts, separated by dots:

  • Header: Contains the type of token (JWT) and the signing algorithm used.
  • Payload: Contains the claims, which are the data that is being transferred.
  • Signature: Used to verify the authenticity of the token.

The claims in a JWT token can be anything, but they typically include the user's identity, expiration time, and other relevant information.

JWTs are signed using a secret key, which is used to verify the authenticity of the token. This makes JWTs a secure way to transmit information between parties.

Here are some of the benefits of using JWTs:

  • Compact and self-contained: JWTs are small and easy to transmit.
  • Secure: JWTs are signed using a secret key, which makes them a secure way to transmit information.
  • Verifiable: The signature on a JWT can be verified to ensure that the token is authentic.
  • Interoperable: JWTs are an open standard, so they can be used by different systems.

Here are some of the limitations of using JWTs:

  • The claims in a JWT token are limited to 768 characters.
  • JWTs can be decoded by anyone who knows the secret key.
  • JWTs are not as secure as other authentication methods, such as OAuth 2.0.

Overall, JWTs are a secure and versatile way to transmit information between parties. They are a good choice for applications that need to authenticate users or transfer claims.


Actix Web is a web framework for Rust that is known for its performance and scalability. It is easy to learn and use, and it has a large and active community.

Actix Web is based on the actor model, which makes it easy to write concurrent and asynchronous code. It also has a number of features that make it well-suited for building web applications, such as support for routing, middleware, and templates.

Here are some of the benefits of using Actix Web:

  • Performance: Actix Web is a very fast web framework. It is often faster than other web frameworks, such as Rocket and Diesel.
  • Scalability: Actix Web is a scalable web framework. It can be used to build large and complex web applications.
  • Ease of use: Actix Web is easy to learn and use. It has a simple and intuitive API that makes it easy to get started.
  • Community: Actix Web has a large and active community. There are many resources available online, such as tutorials, documentation, and examples.

If you are looking for a web framework for Rust that is fast, scalable, and easy to use, then Actix Web is a great choice.

Here are some of the things you can do with Actix Web:

  • Build high-performance web servers
  • Develop web applications
  • Create RESTful APIs
  • Work with microservices
  • Build distributed systems

#rust #jwt #security 

Rust JWT Authentication with Actix Web
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